Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

/ / Comics

teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-1-coverIn 1984 Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird released the first issue of a comic book which centered around four teenagers who just happened to tbe turtles… and ninjas. Over the years the franchise would span several publishers, inspire four television series, a Japanese anime, three live-action theatrical films, an animated feature film (which is pretty damn good, by the way).

Things have come full circle yet again as Eastman teams with IDW to return his creations back to comics. Along with writer Tom Waltz and artist Dan Duncan, Eastman re-imagines the Teenange Mutant Ninja Turtles for a new generation.

As the story opens we learn the Turtles have only been in action for less than 18 months, and have already lost one of their number. The comic opens with a battle between Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Splinter against Old Hob and his gang. Through flashbacks we’re also shown the early days of the turtles and rat as lab animals at Stock Gen Research who are given their names by young lab tech April O’Neil.

…

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Daredevil #2

/ / Comics

daredevil-2-coverIssue #2 of the latest relaunch of Daredevil certainly has its moments, most notably the fight between Captain America and Daredevil which kicks off the issue. While the fight itself, involving the pair switching weapons, is actually pretty cool, I’m with Daredevil in my confusion of how quickly the battle starts and ends. Some may say Cap is simply taking his grief over Bucky on Daredevil, but that doesn’t sound too much like Captain America (who, as America’s top cop, would by now have access to all of the Shadowland data proving Murdock wasn’t in control of his actions) to me.

The issue also includes a fun conversation between Foggy Nelson and Kirsten McDuffie and Daredevil trying to hunt down who is behind the railroading of Ahmed Jobrani. Sadly, I’m less impressed with the issue’s reveal of the first big bad of the series. I’ve never been a fan of Klaw. Sure, a “master of sound” makes for an intriguing villain for Daredevil, but I’ve always found him fairly ridiculous. The second issue isn’t without a misstep or two, but it does have its moments. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Batman #713

/ / Comics

batman-713-coverAfter more than 70 years and 700 issues another one of DC Comics longest running monthly titles comes to an end. This final issue of Batman gives us a look back at Batman’s history through the narration of his adventures to a young audience. I won’t spoil who the narrator is, but there are plenty of clues if you watch for them.

Rather than a solo adventure, of some kind of final tip of the hat to Dick and Damian adventure as the Batman and Robin this issue focuses on putting the entire history of Batman to rest with an underlying story that actually plays out over the course of Batman’s history.

Some might find it a little schmaltzy, but I thought this story worked well as a Coda for the series and a nice send off for this version of Batman and Robin. I also enjoyed art recreating the various looks of Batman over the years and the outline of the big moments in Batman’s history. There’s also a nice splash page of the Bat-Family. It may not have been my first choice for the Caped Crusader’s final issue, but it’s a solid one. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Darkwing Duck #15

/ / Comics

darkwing-duck-15-coverWhat can I say? Darkwing Duck can even make politics fun! The battle for Mayor of St. Canard heats up as both Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack stave off negative campaigning (who they blame each other for, although neither is responsible). As the comic nears its final issue this one is jampacked with cameos including Launchpad’s new campaign manager, Spike, and Darkwing and Launchpad putting aside their issues to battle The League of Barely Remembered Supervillains!

The League is made up entirely of lesser known criminals from the Darkwing Duck cartoon including Lilliput, Professor Moliarty, the Bugmaster, Jambalaya Jake (and his pet gator Gumbo), and Tuskernini. Victory of the also-rans is shortlived as Suff-Rage pulls out all the stops by mysmerizing the audience to attack all three candidates.

Once again writer Ian Brill and artist James Silvani outdo themselves in creating an insanely fun read (with extra insanity). If you aren’t reading Darkwing Duck you’re missing out. Worth a look.

[Boom, $3.99]

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Power Girl #27

/ / Comics

power-girl-27-coverTime is running out for Power Girl, in more ways than one. As a metaphor for the end of the series writer Matthew Sturges gives Kara the task of saving victims trapped in three separate life-threatening situations in under one-minute. The man behind the deadly tests is the Calculator who knows Power Girl won’t be able to stop all three attacks. But, then again, he doesn’t know our girl very well, does he?

The issue works on its own as a solo adventure as well as a not too obvious send-off for Power Girl who (at least right now) doesn’t look to have a spot in the new DCU. Those picking the issue up three years from now out of a longbox might not even realize its the series’ finale.

Although it was never quite as good as Batgirl or Secret Six, I’m sorry to see this title go away. It’s provided some extremely entertaining stories including magic dinosaurs, a misunderstood Arab super-hero, appearances by Batman, Superman, and Zatanna, clones, a Power Girl fan convention, and more. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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